Skin type: how to choose the right protection for your skin
Natali Profumeria · 1 min read · November 1, 2026
Not all skin reacts to the sun in the same way. Some people burn in half an hour, while others tan immediately without reddening. This difference has a name: skin type.
Skin types, in brief
- Very fair: milky skin, often freckles, red or blonde hair, light eyes. Always burns and tans little or not at all.
- Fair: burns easily and tans slowly.
- Medium: sometimes burns, tans gradually.
- Olive: rarely burns, tans well.
- Dark and very dark: burns very rarely, but still needs protection, especially against spots.
What protection
The lighter the skin type, the higher the protection should be: SPF 50 or 50+ for very fair and fair skin, always; SPF 30 or 50 for medium skin; even olive and dark skin should not go below medium protection, and when going to the mountains, the tropics, or during the first few days.
Special situations
Moles and freckles: high protection and periodic checks of moles by a dermatologist. Spots and melasma: very high protection, even tinted, all year round. Medications and treatments: some medications and some cosmetic treatments (exfoliants, retinoids) make the skin more sensitive to the sun; read the leaflet and ask your doctor or pharmacist.
Frequently asked questions
What is skin type?
It is the classification of skin based on how it reacts to the sun: how easily it burns and how well it tans. It ranges from very fair to very dark.
What protection is needed for fair skin?
High or very high protection, SPF 50 or 50+, broad-spectrum, to be reapplied often.
Does dark skin need sunscreen too?
Yes: it burns less often, but UV rays still cause spots and aging. At least medium protection is needed.